Which study should I bring?

Bring any CT, ultrasound, x-ray, urine test, or blood work you already have, including the reports.

Can another stone be prevented?

Risk can often be reduced with a strategy based on stone history, urine and blood testing, hydration, and individualized habits.

When does a stone require urgent care?

Fever or chills, uncontrolled pain, persistent vomiting, marked weakness, or difficulty urinating require urgent assessment, especially when obstruction may be present.

What determines whether laser, shockwave, or percutaneous treatment is used?

The choice depends on stone location, size, density, anatomy, infection, prior treatment, and general health. The visit compares safety, limits, and follow-up.

Dr. Carlos A. Brugiati

Stone center

Kidney stone evaluation and treatment.

Specialist guidance for kidney and ureteral stones, from an acute episode through metabolic follow-up.

Stone size is not the only factor. Location, obstruction, infection, pain, kidney function, and prior episodes help determine whether observation, intervention, or further testing is appropriate.

Request an evaluation

10+ years

of clinical and surgical experience

7,000+

cases treated

International training

Argentina, Spain, and the United Kingdom

Advanced specialist care

When a stone evaluation may help

Pain or renal colic

Flank pain, nausea, blood in urine, or urinary discomfort.

A stone on imaging

An ultrasound, x-ray, or CT finding that needs clinical interpretation.

Repeated episodes

Prior stones, procedures, or a need to assess recurrence risk.

Structured evaluation

Decisions are built from evidence

Symptoms, imaging, and kidney function are reviewed before an option is recommended.

Define urgency

Fever, obstruction, persistent pain, vomiting, and ability to urinate are reviewed.

Read the anatomy

Imaging helps locate the stone and assess size, density, and urinary-tract impact.

Choose a pathway

Observation, ureteroscopy, laser, shockwave therapy, or percutaneous access may be considered.

Reduce recurrence

Selected patients may benefit from stone, urine, blood, hydration, and lifestyle review.

Informed decisions

Options that may be discussed

Not every stone needs the same approach, and not every stone needs surgery.

Conservative care

Monitoring and symptom management when clinical risk makes observation reasonable.

Ureteroscopy and laser

Endoscopic access to fragment or remove selected stones.

Shockwave lithotripsy

External shockwaves for certain stones based on size, location, and characteristics.

Percutaneous surgery

A minimally invasive access route for large or complex kidney stones.

Prepare for your visit

Helpful items for your visit

CT or ultrasound images and reports
Recent urine and blood tests
Medication and allergy list
History of pain, fever, prior stones, or procedures

Explore related pathways

HoLEP Center Urologic oncology Flexible ureteroscopy Laser stone treatment Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Safety notice

Fever or chills with urinary pain, inability to urinate, persistent vomiting, marked weakness, or uncontrolled pain require urgent care.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to prepare your next step.

No. Management depends on location, size, symptoms, infection, obstruction, kidney function, and likelihood of passage.

Medical reference sources

Educational content remains reviewable. Guidelines support the conversation but do not replace individual clinical judgment.

EAU Patient Information · Kidney stones EAU Guidelines · Urolithiasis

The information on this page does not replace a medical consultation. If you have blood in your urine, urinary retention, fever, severe pain, or an elevated PSA, request an evaluation with a urologist.